North America
China nearly matches Europe for VC funding in 2011
Chinese companies attracted $6 billion in venture capital funding in 2011, up 8% year-on-year, and putting the country at near parity with Europe, which saw commitments of $6.1 billion. On a country basis, the US remains the runaway leader, with VC funding...
PE-backed Sunshine Oilsands prepares for Hong Kong IPO
Sunshine Oilsands, a Canadian oil exploration company backed by Hong Kong private equity firm Cross-Strait Common Development Fund as well as several Chinese state-owned enterprises, could raise up to $700 million through an IPO in Hong Kong. This implies...
Asian investors back eco-fuels producer LanzaTech
The Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund led a $55 million Series C round of financing for low-carbon fuels producer LanzaTech. Petronas Technology Ventures and Dialog Group, also Malaysian firms, participated in the round, as did existing investors Khosla...
FBI searches offices of firm linked to Chinese reverse takeovers
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has conducted a search of the offices of New York Global Group, a private equity investment and corporate advisory firm. New York Global, led by Benjamin Wey, helped Chinese companies go public in the US through reverse...
US increases disclosure requirements for foreign listings
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced rules that compel foreign companies seeking US listings to file their registration documents publicly. Previously, IPO documentation remained confidential until the issuers were ready to launch...
Goldman Sachs to launch first energy-focused fund
Goldman Sachs plans to raise $2-3.5 billion for its first energy-focused private equity fund. The global vehicle, known as Broad Street Energy Partners, will target the oil, gas and power industries.
Cinemacraft receives funding from 500 Startups
Asian interactive media platform provider Cinemacraft has secured funding from US-based business incubator 500 Startups.
US PE firm Yucapia exits South Korea’s IHQ
Yucapia Global PEF, a US private equity fund held by supermarket conglomerate owner Ronald Burkle, has exited almost its entire stake in IHQ, one of South Korea’s major entertainment stocks. It is unlikely to have generated a significant return on the...
Carlyle founders share $400m in 2011 earnings
The Carlyle Group’s three founders together earned more than $400 million in 2011 after the private equity firm returned a record $15 billion to LPs in the first nine months of the year.
Northern Light supports first Sino-US incubator
Northern Light Venture Capital has launched Silicon Valley’s first Sino-US incubator in conjunction with Tsinghua University Science Park, Shui On Group and Silicon Valley Bank. Known as InnoSpring, the incubator will target startups seeking to enter...
Canaan Partners closes ninth fund at $600m
Canaan Partners, the venture capital firm that focuses on the US, India and Israel, has closed its ninth fund at $600 million. The new vehicle, which received commitments from both new and existing LPs, takes the firm’s total assets under management...
TFG Radiant to increase holding in US solar panel maker
TFG Radiant, a joint venture between Chinese property developer Radiant Group and Singapore-based investment company Tertius Financial Group, will increase its stake in Ascent Solar Technologies. The purchase will take its holding in the company to approximately...
Vivo Ventures closes seventh fund at $375m
Vivo Ventures, the US and Greater China-focused healthcare investment firm, has closed its seventh fund at $375 million. The firm now has more than $1 billion under management.
Q&A: Hamilton Lane's Mario Giannini
Mario Giannini, CEO of Hamilton Lane, discusses the fundraising climate globally and the impact of massive capital inflows on Asia.
Alibaba hires US lobby group for potential Yahoo bid
Alibaba Group has hired Washington lobbying firm Duberstein Group in what is seen as evidence that the company is considering a bid for all of Yahoo if negotiations to buy back the US firm’s Asian assets fail.
PE-backed buyouts of US-listed Chinese firms set to continue
Private equity-backed management buyouts of US-listed Chinese companies are expected to continue in 2012 despite recent pullbacks in the Hong Kong and mainland markets eroding the potential valuation arbitrage. With the announcement of dedicated privatization...
GIC backs Canada’s Osum Oil Sands
Government of Singapore Investment Corp. (GIC) has participated in a $500 million investment in Osum Oil Sands Corp, which is looking to tap Canada’s oil sands and bitumen resources, through a private placement to a combination of new and existing investors.
Yahoo unhappy with bids for its US, Asia businesses
Yahoo is unhappy with the with the low premium being offered by private equity firms looking to invest in the company as well as the discounts proposed by prospective buyers of its Asian subsidiaries, which may stall any deal.
Alibaba seeks $4b loan to support Yahoo buyback
Alibaba Group has approached lenders about financing part of the company’s buyback of a 40% stake currently held by Yahoo. The Chinese e-commerce firm is seeking a $4 billion loan to support the purchase.
Neuberger Berman raises $720m
Investment management firm Neuberger Berman Group has raised $720 million for its private equity fund-of-funds, NB Crossroads 2010.
PE firms close in on Yahoo acquisition
Several prospective buyers of Yahoo have signed confidentiality agreements in order to get a closer look at the company’s finances.
From buyouts to asset managers
Emerging Asia is a key consideration as the global buyout firms diversify their product offerings to meet the needs of a changing market
China MBOs: The problem with privatizations
With stock prices undervalued, company chairman and private equity investors are eyeing potential privatizations among US-listed Chinese companies. It isn’t as easy as it seems.
Yahoo tipped to sell Asian assets, pay shareholder dividend
Yahoo is likely to close the door to potential private equity suitors by divesting its Asian assets and redistributing the proceeds to shareholders. The redistribution might take the form of a special divided or share buyback.